How to Repair Wallpaper Seams

Learning how to repair wallpaper seams can save a lot of time and money. Wallpaper can add such a unique and rich texture to a room, and it can also be very expensive. It’s a problem when the seams start to pull away from the wall. It is unsightly to look at and can lead to more tearing, resulting in more damage. There is no need to remove and replace the wallpaper, though. There is a simple way to remedy the problem. A few inexpensive tools and a simple technique can put those wallpaper seams back together.

Different wallpaper pastes may have different strengths. Try to find a paste that contains a stronger adhesive, such as a paste intended for use on wallpaper borders.

Step 1 – Preparation

Fill an empty sink basin or a bucket about half-way with warm water. Warmer water will help to moisten the existing wallpaper paste and make the paper more pliable.

Step 2 – Prepare the Loose Wallpaper

Using the sponge dipped into the warm water, moisten the loose wallpaper and the area behind the seams. If the water drips below the area being repaired, just dry the wallpaper with a clean towel.

Step 3 – Apply the Wallpaper Paste

Using the putty knife, apply a thin layer of wallpaper paste to the undersides of the loose wallpaper. The putty knife will make the application of the paste easier because unlike the sponge, it won’t absorb the paste.

Step 4 – Press the Wallpaper Back into Place

Rinse the sponge in the warm water and wring it out completely. Use the damp sponge to start pressing the loose paper back into place. As the paste oozes out of the seam, wipe the excess paste off using the sponge. It may be necessary to rinse and wring the sponge out a few times during the process to keep from unnecessarily spreading the paste to other parts of the wall. Continue working with the sponge until all the wallpaper is re-affixed to the wall and the seam is smooth.

Final Step – Allow the Wallpaper to Dry

The last thing left to do is to allow the wallpaper to dry. After it is dry, the repaired wallpaper seam should look as good as it did the day it was first applied.

This technique should not take more than a few minutes to do, but those few minutes will be well spent compared to the amount of time and money saved. It’s not easy to strip certain types of wallpaper, and it can be costly to hire someone to strip the paper and hang new wallpaper or prepare the walls to be painted. Even do-it-yourselfers can be challenged by the job of stripping stubborn wallpaper. It’s much easier and far less expensive to take a few minutes and re-affix the wallpaper to the wall.